Miniature rose plant named `Baby Claire`

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of miniature rose, primarily identified by the near white with darker pink edged color of its petals and classic hybrid tea formed double flowers.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofhardy, dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class. The cultivarbeing primarily characterized—as to novelty by its near white withdeeply pink edged petal color and classic hybrid tea formed doubleflowers.

[0002] The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rosevariety having the near white with deeply pink edged petal color, beinga blend of the colors of the parent plants, combined with the very goodclassic formed flowers of the seed parent ‘TALfairhope’, a non-patentedexhibition type miniature rose. The objective was substantiallyachieved, along with other desirable improvements, as evidenced by thefollowing unique combination of characteristics that are outstanding inthe new variety and that distinguish it from its parents, as well asfrom all other varieties of which I am aware:

[0003] 1. Miniature, classic hybrid tea type exhibition, flowers usuallyborne singly or in small clusters to the stem.

[0004] 2 Moderate fruity fragrance.

[0005] 3. A plant of somewhat diminutive and rounded shape, withsemi-glossy foliage with broad, slightly folded pointed leaflets; thebuds and flowers being similar in form to ‘TALfairhope’ (a miniaturenon-patented rose) but differing in color, being a near white withdeeply pink edged blooms instead of white.

[0006] 4. As compared to the pollen parent, cultivar ‘JACpoy’, aminiature rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP9,015); the present cultivar is asomewhat more diminutive miniature rose and has slightly larger, nearwhite edged deeply pink colored flowers instead of yellow orange blendcolored blooms.

[0007] 5. A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both ingreenhouse and outdoors; with repeat bloom, is good for growing in pots,and provides excellent garden decoration as well as cut flowers the homeor for exhibition.

[0008] The present cultivar of miniature rose was originated by James A.Sproul, located at his nursery in Bakersfield, Calif., under conditionsof careful control and observation, as a result of a cross between‘TALfairhope’, a miniature non-patented rose as the seed parent and‘JACpoy’ (a miniature rose, U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP9,015) as the pollenparent.

[0009] Subsequent to origination of the cultivar it was successfullyasexually reproduced by James A. Sproul in Bakersfield, Calif , bybudding as well as by cuttings; the reproductions have run true in allrespects. The photograph illustrates the cultivar including the foliage,buds, flowers, stems and canes.

[0010] The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of thevegetative growth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

[0011] Referring now specifically to the new and distinct cultivar ofminiature rose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof inoutline; all major color plant identification being by reference to TheRoyal Horticultural Society (London) colour chart except where commonterms of color definition are employed.

[0012] Parentage:

[0013]Seed parent.—‘TALfairhope’ a non-patented miniature rose.

[0014]Pollen parent.—‘JACpoy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP9,015).

[0015] Classification:

[0016]Botanical.— Rosa hybrida.

[0017]Commercial.—Miniature.

[0018]Cultivar identification.—‘Baby Claire’.

FLOWER

[0019]Flowers borne.—Usually singly or in small clusters, on sturdy,somewhat shortened miniature stems.

[0020]Quantity of bloom.—Abundant both outside and inside greenhouse.

[0021] Bud:

[0022]Peduncle.—Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green,near Yellow Green Group 144C to 144D, usually tinted bronze (outdoors);having many fine hairs along its length. Before calyx breaks, size issmall to medium.

[0023]Form.—Pointed, with few small foliaceous appendages on surface ofthe bud; with foliaceous parts normally not extending beyond the tip ofthe bud.

[0024]Color.—Medium green, near Green Group 143A, occasionally tintedwith bronze (outdoors). As calyx breaks, color is a blend of, near RedGroup 51A toward the edges of the petals blending to Yellow-Orange group19D at petal bases.

[0025] Bloom:

[0026]Size when fully open.—Medium, averaging about 2¼″.

[0027]Petalage.—Double — averaging 25 to 30 or more petals, arrangedregularly with a few central small petaloids.

[0028]Form.—Full, high centered at first, becoming rounded with petalsrolled loosely outward and downward. Fully opened flowers may showstamens which are very light yellow.

[0029]Sepals.—Permanent; spear shaped; recurved very early in bloomdevelopment, green, near Green Group 143A. There are three normallyappendaged sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals with serratededges.

[0030]Behavior.—Opens well in all weather; spent petals of flowers donot drop off cleanly.

[0031]Flower longevity (November 2001).—Plant in pot — 4 to 6 days orlonger. Cut flowers at living room temperature — 5 to 7 days.

[0032]Petals.—Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

[0033]Shape.—Outside petals: broad lanceolate (wedge shaped) with verysmall acute tip. Intermediate: broad lanceolate with nearly round orshort acute tip. Inside: lanceolate with acute tip.

[0034]Color.—(Newly opening flower from plant grown outside in November,2001, Bakersfield, Calif., photograph taken November 2001)). Outsidepetal: Outside surface — a blending of near Red Group 51A (may be darkerat times) blender to a fighter cream color at the petal base. Insidesurface — near Red Purple Group 63A. Intermediate petal: Outside surfacesimilar to outside petal. Inside surface similar to outside petal. Innerpetal: Outside surface similar to intermediate petal. Inside surfacesimilar to intermediate petal. Flower (petal) color fades or lightens asflowers age to near Red Purple Group 63D on both outside and insidepetal surfaces.

[0035] Reproductive organs:

[0036]Stamens.—Average, arranged regularly about the pistil.

[0037]Filaments.—Fairly short, white to yellowish.

[0038]Anthers.—Well formed, very light yellow.

[0039]Pollen.—Scant to none.

[0040]Pistils.—Average number.

[0041]Styles.—Long; whitish; bunched.

[0042]Ovaries.—All enclosed in calyx.

[0043]Hips.—None have been observed as plant appears non-fertile.

[0044]Seed.—None.

[0045] Foliage:

[0046]Leaves.—Compound. of five (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets; mediumsmall); leathery; semi-glossy.

[0047]Leaflets.—Shape: Broad lanceolate; apex acute; base — rounded.Color: Upper surface, medium green (can be as dark as Green Group 135A),while lower surface is lighter near Green Group 137C; new growth isnormal (medium) green most often tinted reddish. Rachis: mediumstrength; upper side smooth; grooved; underside smooth or may haveseveral small thorns (or claws). Stipules — Medium to short length;medium width; medium to short length narrow points which turn outusually at about 45 degree. or less. Color similar to leaflets.

[0048]Disease resistance.—Somewhat susceptible to mildews.

[0049]Habit.—Medium; bush; upright; much branched. Plant height. 35-50cm. Plant spread: 25-40 cm.

[0050]Growth.—Average to slow; internodes shortened.

[0051]Canes.—Medium slender; sturdy.

[0052]Main stems.—Color: Medium green, near Green Group 143A.

[0053]Prickles.—Average, slender, long, usually straight to slightlydownward, color: brown to gray.

[0054]Hairs.—few or none.

[0055] The miniature rose plant and its flowers as heretofore describedmay vary in slight detail due to climate, soil and cultural conditionsunder which the cultivar may be grown; the present description being ofthe cultivar as grown outdoor in November 2001 at Bakersfield, Calif.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of rose plant of the miniature class, ofhardy, dwarf, bushy, moderately branched habit substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by buds and flowers, near whiteedge to deep pink, the bud being tapered and pointed in the early stage,with the sepals reflexing well ahead of the opening bloom and, with theopen flower being double and rounded with 25 to 30 or more petals; andfurther characterized by a somewhat smaller plant, of upright habit,with main stems and shoots of average thorniness, the said plant beingaverage to propagate from soft-wood cuttings with medium to small,semi-glossly foliage, the flowers being usually borne either singly orin small clusters on medium length stems.